I just found this great site. I live 30 minutes south of redding california. In 1996 I bought forty acres with an existing 3 acre pond. In 2000 I drained the pond and started over. I added lots of manzinita and oak laydowns for structure. I also built a very large pier, for the purpose of structure and a place to hinge the 22ft walkway for the dock. water comes from runoff and flucuates 8-10 feet during the year. 22ft at full pool. I stocked bluegill and bass. Started floating food feeder jan 04. amazing bluegill growth. bass are doing well. Is their some pond owners on the west coast that have some experience in adding other forage species??? fish and game told me to consider the japenese pond smelt. soft spine and does well on the west coast. I want to plant threadfin but im told they wont survive our winters?? water temps of mid-forties?? I also want to explore introducing crawdads?? my goal is to develop an extreme private bass fishery with 1-3's common with great chances at 5-8's, with a ten showing once or twice a year. I would really enjoy the opportunity to send someone some pictures for some feedback. Thanks, Allen Cordy in Nor-Cal